Our Doctrinal Roots
Our core beliefs are founded upon the inerrant Word of God. We recognize the entire counsel of God to be infallible and holy. A summary of our doctrinal convictions can be found in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
We gladly cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, and the Knox County Association of Baptists.
We gladly cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, and the Knox County Association of Baptists.
I. The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction.
It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.
It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.
II. God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe.
He exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
He exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
III. Man
Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image.
Every man and woman is born in sin and in desperate need of salvation that comes only through faith in Jesus.
Every man and woman is born in sin and in desperate need of salvation that comes only through faith in Jesus.
IV. Salvation
In its broadest sense, salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
V. God's Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners.
It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end.
It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end.
VI. The Church
A New Testament church is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel;
Observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.
Observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.
VII. Baptism & The Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, & The Holy Spirit.
The Lord's Supper utilizes the bread and the cup to memorialize the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
The Lord's Supper utilizes the bread and the cup to memorialize the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
VIII. The Lord's Day
The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance.
It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion.
It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion.
IX. The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King.
X. Last Things
Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth! The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men in righteousness.
The unrighteous will be cast into hell, but those saved by God's grace will be welcomed into heaven.
The unrighteous will be cast into hell, but those saved by God's grace will be welcomed into heaven.
XI. Evangelism & Missions
It is the duty of every child of God to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle,
and by other methods in harmony with the Gospel of Christ.
and by other methods in harmony with the Gospel of Christ.
XII. Education
The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ,
by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.
by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.
XIII. Stewardship
Christians should contribute tithes & offerings cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately,
and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
XIV. Cooperation
Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God.
Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches.
Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches.
XV. The Christian & The Social Order
Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause,
always acting in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
always acting in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
XVI. Peace & War
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men. In accordance with the Spirit and the teachings of Christ,
they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
XVII. Religious Liberty
A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men,
and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
XVIII. The Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.
It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage (a covenant between one man and one woman), blood, or adoption.
It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage (a covenant between one man and one woman), blood, or adoption.